Performing Islam: Gender and Ritual in Iran

by Azam Torab

Performing Islam takes as its main focus the rich array of ceremonial activities that shape and inform the lives of circles of women in south Tehran. Based on anthropological fieldwork, the book describes and analyses rituals that mark religious anniversaries and life course events in Iran today. Arguing that the ritual performances are powerful forums where ideas develop, and where rules, symbols and discourses are contested, this book discusses the values and beliefs underpinning gender constructions in a rapidly changing and complex society. The ambiguous metaphorical language of the rituals is examined, revealing how gender ideologies are projected and renewed, but also challenged, destabilized and ridiculed. Thus the rituals provide possibilities for self-expression, innovation and incremental change. This study goes beyond questions of meaning and culture to interrogate the dynamics of gender performance as products of power and politics.

Genres: Islam, Feminism

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mehrdad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare, precise and detailed insight into the everyday lives of women from a sector of society that is usually ignored by the secular middle classes. The study of female rituals and its effect on everyday life is an original and extremely needed perspective on the role of "traditional" women, the relationship between men and women and the effect of the Islamic revolution on the development of gender. It challenges the simple dismissal of conventional female roles as submissive and points to power relations between women rather than between men and women. This book provides ample material to interpret the rise of gender complexity, including transsexuality, in Iran. It also provides a perspective which goes well beyond the usual Western secular interpretation. As a result it is a must read for everyone, a huge contribution to the dialogue between the East and the West.

[AH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torab has returned to Iran after some time and this helps her assessment as she can maintain a more objective stance in her writings. While I appreciate the depth of the research and narration within the book in all cases of these ceremonies and rituals, I think that sometimes the details have loaded the content in an necessary way nevertheless I found great information in this book specially when it comes to gender roles and differences in practice of these rituals.